12 Best Things To Do In Ipswich, England

1. Visit Clifford Road Tunnels Heritage Site and be amazed by its history

Be astounded by this discovered location built at the start of World War II in 1939. Its purpose was to shield the community from the effects of bombing and explosions, and in 1989, one of the shelters was found buried beneath the playground of Clifford Road Primary School.

This place is now open for tours on a seasonal basis, so if you’ve always been curious about it, grab the chance to visit. If you are interested in viewing a significant piece of the area’s past, this is a fantastic destination that you should consider going to.

Clifford Road Tunnels Heritage Site

Address: Primary School, Clifford Rd, Ipswich IP4 1PJ, United Kingdom

Website: Clifford Road Tunnels Heritage Site

Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 4pm (closed on Sun - Fri)

Price: 3.01 USD

2. See the greeneries and unique fauna creatures at Bobbits Lane Meadows

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

One of the dazzling sights found in the natural world, Bobbits Lane Meadows is a local nature reserve nestled near Thorington Park and Stoke Park neighborhoods. Spanning 16.1 hectares (39.78 acres), tourists can stroll along green grass pathways along wet meadows, where you can watch the unique features and hear the soothing sounds of fauna creatures such as otters, water voles, kingfishers, egrets, and toads.

The Greenways Countryside Project is in charge of managing this piece of land, which belongs to the Ipswich Borough Council, to ensure the area’s natural beauty is preserved and safeguarded.

Bobbits Lane Meadows

Address: Stoke Park Dr, Pinewood, Ipswich IP8 3UN, UK

3. Explore the magnificent artwork at Christchurch Mansion

Christchurch Mansion is believed to have been constructed during the 16th century. It is now the home to a wide range of eclectic displays, featuring a magnificent collection of artworks by various famous artists, including John Constable and Gainsborough Thomas. Apart from the beautiful art collection, the mansion also has lavish displays of glass, pottery, and paintings, with some dating back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Christchurch Mansion

Address: Soane St, Ipswich IP4 2BE, United Kingdom

Website: Christchurch Mansion

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

4. Enjoy delightful dance performances at Jerwood Dance House

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you feel like lifting your spirits and moods with satisfying musical performances, then consider going for a performance at the Jerwood Dance House that is located on the beautiful waterfront. The dance house usually hosts a wide range of performances, featuring both local and internationally renowned dancers, whose content is suitable for entertaining both adults and children alike.

Jerwood Dance House

Address: Ipswich IP4 1DW, United Kingdom

Website: Jerwood Dance House

5. Soak in the views of the gorgeous Ipswich Waterfront

The Ipswich Waterfront is a great place for relaxation or to go on a leisurely walk late in the evening after a tiring day. A trip along the breathtaking River Orwell will be complete therapy to a tired and weary soul, with the fresh breeze and the gentle sounds helping to accentuate the exceedingly calming atmosphere. There are lots of eateries, pubs, and stores along the waterfront, where you may stop to grab a bite or do some shopping while you continue to savor the awesome beauty of the waterfront.

Ipswich Waterfront

Address: Neptune Quay, Ipswich IP4 1QJ, United Kingdom

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

6. Indulge in mouthwatering British cuisine at the Aurora Bar and Restaurant

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Britain has incredible culinary diversity. One beautiful thing you will appreciate about the British foods is that the authentic food traditions have been kept, and they have also been daring enough to try out new stuff and blends for more diversity in their cuisine. One great spot to check out this is at the Aurora Bar and Restaurant. If you want to move beyond the traditional fish and chips, then this is the best place to get updated as far as the culinary diversity in Britain goes.

Aurora Bar and Restaurant

Address: The Tented Building, Helena Road, Ipswich IP3 0BT, United Kingdom

Website: Aurora Bar and Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 3pm - 12am; Wed - Thu: 12pm - 12am; Fri: 12pm - 1am; Sat: 9:30am - 1am; Sun: 9:30am - 12am

7. Learn the history of the country’s transport system at Ipswich Museum

Ipswich Transport Museum is located in a former trolleybus depot and it is the best place to learn about the evolution of the country’s transport system. It currently houses more than 100 vehicles of some of the local transporters. Think of it as an Aladdin’s cave of transportation and a great place to appreciate the strides that the city has made in modernizing its transportation system.

Ipswich Museum

Address: High St, Ipswich IP1 3QH, United Kingdom

Website: Ipswich Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Free

8. Enjoy rock climbing at Avid Indoor Climbing

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Try out your climbing skills at Avid Indoor Climbing Center. This is a fantastic facility that caters to the adventurous needs of both youths and adults who might be interested in rock climbing. It is safe and secure, with the full-time presence of instructors to ensure that you don’t put yourself in harm’s way in any way. Even for beginner climbers, the center offers lessons and courses to let you get up on the rocks as soon as possible.

Avid Indoor Climbing

Address: 8 Bermuda Rd, Ransomes Industrial Estate, Ipswich IP3 9RU, United Kingdom

Website: Avid Indoor Climbing

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 9:30pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm

9. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors at Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park is located right in the heart of Ipswich, and it is the largest green space you will find in the city. It lies in close proximity to the main shopping district and the fantastic waterfront, hence, a fairly popular place for both residents and locals. It is a great place to relax and marvel at the beauty of the greenery around and also a nice spot to sample some of the musical performances by the locals since it usually hosts such performances several days during the week.

Alexandra Park

Address: Ipswich IP4 1NS, United Kingdom

Opening hours: Mon: 24 hours (closed on Tue - Sun)

Price: Free

10. Visit the rare breeds at Baylham Farm House Rare Breeds Farm

Baylham Farm Rare Breeds Farm is located right in the heart of beautiful Suffolk. The farm is dedicated to breeding farm animals that were once common but are now rare or considered threatened species. It offers you a great opportunity to see very rare breeds of pigs, sheep, and goats that you might have not known existed. In addition to seeing the animals, you will also have a chance to participate in feeding some of them while you enjoy the calm surrounding of the farm.

Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm

Address: Baylham, Ipswich IP6 8LG, United Kingdom

Website: Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm

Opening hours: Tue - Sun:10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 10 USD

11. Watch some exciting performances at the New Wolsey Theatre

New Wolsey Theatre is a 400-seater theatre that was founded in 1979. It is a vital establishment to the cultural life in Suffolk as it is usually the venue of a variety of dynamic productions. It is a wonderful place to visit for exciting performances, featuring songs, dances, drums, and jazz ensembles. It gives you a chance to appreciate the skills and talents of the locals.

New Wolsey Theatre

Address: St George’s St, Ipswich IP1 3NF, United Kingdom

Website: New Wolsey Theatre

12. Take a tour of The Ancient House

The Ancient House is located in the Buttermarket. It is believed that the house was constructed during the 14th century, and served as the residence of many local merchants. The uniqueness of the house is not only in its history, but also in the specific design that it adorns. The highlight is the façade that has wood carvings and ornamental plasterwork with the impressions of Ipswich’s coat of arms. It also features four bay windows with shapes similar to those of the four continents of Asia, America, Africa, and Europe that were already discovered at the time the house was being constructed. Stepping into the house is, indeed, a real walk down memory lane.

The Ancient House

Address: Buttermarket, Ipswich, Suffolk, England

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)

Create beautiful memories in Ipswich

The historic town of Ipswich has a lot to offer to all kinds of visitors. Don’t get overwhelmed with trying to settle for the perfect experiences. Use our recommendations of the best things to do in Ipswich, the UK, as a guide to explore the top attractions of the town.